Representations are essential for teaching and learning. Particularly in chemistry, students must interpret and translate between different types of representations ranging from graphs, molecular structures, and structural diagrams. <br/><br/>While we do know that representations are important for learning chemistry, there are still many unknowns - especially given the new forms of representations that come along with technological advances. For example, augmented reality is touted as a tool to help students learn and close performance gaps, however, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding this claim. We examined the performance of three representations (augmented reality, plastic model kit, and 3D figure) in completing diagram completion tasks in which naive high school students used the assigned representation to complete a set of Newman and Wedge-Dash diagrams under different conditions. <br/><br/>In a repeated measures design, about 50 high school students who have never taken organic chemistry used three types of representations (augmented reality, plastic model kit, and 2D image of a molecule) to complete a representational translation task. In the task, they were given a target Newman or wedge-dash diagram with missing components for the completion questions. In the generative questions, they were asked to draw a Newman or a wedge-dash diagram from scratch using the given representation at their station. Following the task, they completed the Purdue Visualization of Rotations test as a measure of spatial ability. Using a Bayesian linear mixed effects model, we found significant effects of spatial ability, task type, and several interaction effects among the independent variables. The results of this study contribute to the growing literature on representational competence and STEM education, as well as provide further insight into how students learn with the use of different forms of instructional manipulatives.

Representational competence: The role of instructional representation and spatial ability in learning organic chemistry diagrams

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.